We are all part of the world. As Christians we believe
that God put us here for a reason. However, as Jesus
made clear to His disciples, although we are in the
world, and called to serve those who live in the world,
we are not to conform ourselves to the world, but to
stand out as beacons of light and hope for those whose
hope is drowning in the pressures of ‘keeping up’.
Let’s not fool ourselves though. This is far from easy.
Unless we keep sight of God at all times we will lose
our way and drift into the world’s way of thinking; we see it all around - “work long hours to earn more so that you can spend more, and if you spend too much, work even longer so that you can spend even more.” Put like that it sounds crazy, but we still fall for it.
The happiest people I have known were people who gave up well paid, pressured jobs to live simply, in harmony with God. They were a real inspiration to others. Curiously people admired them but couldn’t bring themselves to follow suit - for the best of reasons, of course!
But we don’t necessarily have to give up everything in order to find peace. Just take some time to look at everything in your life, bit by bit, and ask yourself, “Is this really helping me to walk with God?”
Don’t forget to look in your wardrobes, your cupboards, your rooms, your garage, and at your plans for tomorrow, next week and next year. Then spend some time talking it over with God. He understands, he really does! And he is so gentle, but firm. Remember, He really does know how we can find true peace - if we will only listen.
that God put us here for a reason. However, as Jesus
made clear to His disciples, although we are in the
world, and called to serve those who live in the world,
we are not to conform ourselves to the world, but to
stand out as beacons of light and hope for those whose
hope is drowning in the pressures of ‘keeping up’.
Let’s not fool ourselves though. This is far from easy.
Unless we keep sight of God at all times we will lose
our way and drift into the world’s way of thinking; we see it all around - “work long hours to earn more so that you can spend more, and if you spend too much, work even longer so that you can spend even more.” Put like that it sounds crazy, but we still fall for it.
The happiest people I have known were people who gave up well paid, pressured jobs to live simply, in harmony with God. They were a real inspiration to others. Curiously people admired them but couldn’t bring themselves to follow suit - for the best of reasons, of course!
But we don’t necessarily have to give up everything in order to find peace. Just take some time to look at everything in your life, bit by bit, and ask yourself, “Is this really helping me to walk with God?”
Don’t forget to look in your wardrobes, your cupboards, your rooms, your garage, and at your plans for tomorrow, next week and next year. Then spend some time talking it over with God. He understands, he really does! And he is so gentle, but firm. Remember, He really does know how we can find true peace - if we will only listen.
Lord Jesus, by the amazing way that you gave up your life and suffered the death that we deserved, you have made it possible to call God our Father. Help us to live as true children; hearing and obedient to your word, and trusting you to know what is best for us. Open our eyes to see creation as you see it, living for you and for each other. And so give us the inner peace, even when the world around us is in turmoil, that comes from walking with you and holding your hand, now and always. Amen
Pressure to - Succeed
Popular thinking says that the most important thing in life is to be rich and successful. Even if we recognize it as the huge lie that it is, we still fall for it. Achievers often burn themselves out with worry, those who can’t keep up are often embittered and resentful. God wants us to be at peace, not stressed; whole, not fragmented; relying on Him, not ourselves. Lord, help me get my priorities right today - putting You first.
Pressure to - Conform
One of the hardest challenges that the Christian faces is the pressure to ‘be one of the gang’, whether it is the family, work or friends. We can be made to feel a real spoilsport or worse if we don’t conform. But would you go with them if they were all going to jump off a high cliff? We have a God who wants to lead us along his paths. If we follow Him, others will follow us.
Lord, help me to see your path, and to follow it.
Lord, help me to see your path, and to follow it.
Pressure to - Keep up appearances
God doesn’t often call people to be hermits, but neither does He ask them to keep up with others in the latest fashion, furniture or car. It takes wisdom to know that we can dress, live, drive and eat adequately so that we can be free from debt and have more than enough to help others. And wisdom is free - for the asking! Lord, please give me Your wisdom in the ordinary things of life - and the strength to follow it each day.
Pressure to - Be liked
We all want to be loved. It is a fundamental human need. We often confuse it with being liked. But they are very different. The prodigal son was liked while he was spending, but rejected by everyone when his money ran out - except His father. You can buy yourself bootlickers, but you can only win friends by being a friend, and that includes God! Be real, forget the buying power; discover the serving power - and real friends.
Pressure to - Spend
Are you influenced by advertising? Have you bought things you really didn’t need? Do you throw perfectly good things away that you no longer want? If it doesn’t bother you, then throw this sheet away. If it does, then try this: Before you buy anything at all, ask God, “Is this the best I can do with this money?” Whatever the answer, follow it. It won’t always be right, but if you keep asking you will get better at hearing God.
Pressure to - Claim our rights
Living in a ‘blame’ culture, we are led to believe that everything is someone else’s responsibility - because we have the paperwork to prove it isn’t ours! How sad. God has a quite different view. We are part of a nation, a people together. We are all responsible for each other. Try putting that into the legislation! However hard it may be, when we look first at our responsibilities, we begin to see God. What about His claim on us?
Give thanks for the many ways God is at work, through:
- evangelists
- parents
- teachers
- counsellors
- scientists
- writers
- evangelists
- parents
- teachers
- counsellors
- scientists
- writers
Remember today, those who carry the burden of:
- sickness
- a lawless past
- fear
- loneliness
- broken families
- obsessions
- not knowing
God
- sickness
- a lawless past
- fear
- loneliness
- broken families
- obsessions
- not knowing
God
